Providing clinical and pro bono opportunities to Harvard Law School students

Congratulations to Alex Smith and Lisa Sullivan, winners of the inaugural Harvard Law School Exemplary Clinical Student Award!

This award recognizes a graduating student who exemplifies putting theory into practice through clinical work. The student winner has demonstrated excellence in representing individual clients, undertaking group advocacy or policy reform projects. In addition, in keeping with the clinical teaching model, the student has been self-reflective and shown thoughtfulness and compassion in their practice and has contributed to the clinical community at HLS in a meaningful way.

Alex Smith

Alex Smith has spent more than 22 of the past 32 months since entering law school providing direct legal services to the poorest and most marginalized disabled Boston residents through his work at the WilmerHale Legal Services Center (LSC). Julie McCormack and the Community Lawyering Program team nominated Alex for:

“…his firm adherence to the quiet, less heroic, everyday practice of ethical lawyering across literally hundreds of intakes and cases, his attention to conflicts of interest, his careful explanation to clients of their and our rights and responsibilities, his consistent care with highly confidential medical, personal and legal information, his comprehensive assessments of the broad range of legal issue presented in each case, his thoughtful examination of the social and political contexts implicated, his deeply generous mentoring of several rounds of new clinical students and interns, his insightful and constructive critique of systems and practices, and the intelligent compassion he has shown to each and every individual he has encountered (so much so that his clients are genuinely distressed that he is now leaving)”.

“Lisa embodies all the characteristics I think are important for all HLS clinical students: compassion for the clients and for other students, an unwavering commitment to justice, zealous advocacy, attention to detail, thoroughness in preparation, and inspiring optimism…. Lisa was certainly a zealous client advocate, which is always paramount, but what sets Lisa apart is that she was able to establish the same goodwill, respect and attention of the courtroom in a matter of months that takes a seasoned trial lawyer years to achieve. Many court personnel: judges, prosecutors, clerks, and court officers, who have seen hundreds (if not thousands) of lawyers, pulled me aside and spoke very highly not just of her advocacy and zealous representation of her clients, but more importantly, of her decency, respectful demeanor, and humanity which influenced others around her to respond in kind.”

Best of luck to Alex and Lisa as they embark on the next stage of their careers!

Credit: Lorin Granger
L-R: Dana Montalto, attorney and Liman Fellow in Harvard Law School’s Veterans Legal Clinic; Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus ’75; and Dan Nagin, Harvard Law School Clinical Professor, Vice Dean for Experiential and Clinical Education, and Faculty Director, Veterans Legal Clinic. The event was co-sponsored by Harvard Law School Veterans Legal Clinic, which provides legal advocacy for veterans, and the HLS Armed Forces Association. The Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Lecture at Harvard Law School is supported by a grant from the Disabled American Veterans’ Charitable Service Trust.
Taken from the Harvard Law Today Article entitled “Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivers Disabled American Veterans Distinguished Lecture at Harvard Law School”

Credit: Heratch Photography
“While flying air missions in Afghanistan, Anne Stark said her greatest concern was protecting soldiers on the ground. As a student at Harvard Law School, she sees yet another way to protect those who have served their country.”
Taken from the Harvard Law Today Article entitled “Using law to protect veterans”

On October 14, three PLAPpers joined individuals and organizations from across the Commonwealth at the State House to testify before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, in support of bills aimed at improving criminal justice.

On September 16, 2015, the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs together with Student Practice Organization Leaders hosted a panel discussion to introduce students to opportunities to practice law on a pro bono basis at HLS. Over 250 students attended the event.

Group photo of Army JAG personnel and representatives from the Navy and Air Force JAG communities, with Dr. Thomas Barfield of Boston University and Emile Simpson of KSG

Welcome

The Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs at Harvard Law School is here to help students create the most positive clinical and pro bono experience possible. Stay tuned for updates, tips, and reminders. Please don't hesitate to contact us or drop by!

If there's something you’d like to share with the HLS clinical community, please send a tip to clinical@law.harvard.edu.